Suspended Twitter Account? Here’s What To Do Next

So, you just tried to log in to your Twitter account, only to find out it has been suspended. An ominous message stating that your account is “temporarily restricted” greets you instead of your timeline. What should you do now?

Getting your suspended Twitter account back up and running again can be frustrating, but it is possible if you understand why the suspension occurred and take the proper steps. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the common reasons for Twitter suspensions, how to appeal wrongful suspensions, what to do once your account access is restored, and tips to avoid future suspensions.

Why Was Your Twitter Account Suspended?

Before trying to unsuspend your Twitter account, it’s important to understand why it was suspended in the first place. There are a few main reasons Twitter may decide to restrict account access:

Violation of Twitter Rules

The most common cause of Twitter suspensions is violation of the platform‘s rules and policies. Examples include:

• Abusive behavior – This includes threats of violence, harassment, hateful conduct, posting private information, and encouragement of self-harm. Even wishing harm on others can result in suspension.

• Spam – Mass tweeting unsolicited content, duplicate content, and posting misleading links are considered spam. Buying or selling followers and engagement is also prohibited.

• Security threats – Accounts that attempt to spread malware or hack others will quickly face suspensions. Impersonation of another user or brand is also not allowed.

• Illegal content – Any tweets promoting or linking to illegally obtained confidential information, child sexual exploitation, or violent extremist content will lead to suspensions.

• Copyright violations – Repeatedly posting copyrighted content without permission, such as photos, videos, or articles, is grounds for suspension.

• Manipulation – Using multiple accounts for an unfair advantage, artificially boosting engagement, and coordinating with others to game trends or searches can get accounts suspended.

Suspicious Activity

If Twitter notices suspicious activity that may indicate a compromised account, they will restrict access until it can be secured. Signs of suspicious activity include:

• Sudden changes in profile information like username, bio, location, website, or profile photo

• Tweeting unusual or dangerous content that is out of character

• Tweeting high volumes of uncharacteristic content in a short timeframe

• Logging in from a new unknown device or location

• Following and unfollowing large amounts of accounts in a short period of time

Location Changes and VPN Use

Frequently changing locations or logging in from different countries can trigger Twitter‘s automated anti-spam systems. This most often impacts frequent travelers and digital nomads. Using a VPN or proxy to access Twitter can also lead to mistaken suspensions.

Now that you have an idea of why your account may have been suspended, it‘s time to take action to get it restored.

Appealing Wrongful Twitter Suspensions

If you believe your Twitter account was suspended by mistake, you can appeal the decision. Twitter provides an appeals process that involves filing a report and providing additional information.

To appeal a suspension:

1. Log in to your suspended account – This ensures you file the appeal from the correct account. Appeals from other accounts will be rejected.

2. Open a new browser window and go to Twitter‘s suspension appeal form. – Do not use the same window/tab you used to log in to your suspended account.

3. Select the option that best describes your situation – Choose from options like "I didn‘t post that," "My account was hacked," "It was a joke or parody," etc.

4. Explain why you believe the suspension was a mistake – Be as detailed as possible here to provide needed context. If your account was hacked, explain how it was compromised and when you regained control.

5. Provide any requested info – You may need to submit a copy of your ID, email address, or phone number depending on the situation.

6. Be patient – It can take up to a few weeks for Twitter to review appeals and unsuspend accounts. Follow up if you don‘t hear back after 14 days.

Filing a detailed, polite appeal is usually the quickest way to get your account unsuspended if there has been a mistake. However, if your account activity did legitimately violate Twitter‘s rules, you will need to go through an account restoration process instead.

Restoring Your Twitter Account After a Policy Violation

If your account was correctly suspended due to abusive behavior, security concerns, or other violations, you will not be able to simply appeal the decision. In these cases, you need to request account restoration after a set waiting period:

12 Hour Waiting Period

Suspensions for posting duplicate content, aggressively following/unfollowing, or violating Twitter‘s daily limits on tweets, likes, etc. expire after 12 hours. Once the waiting period has passed, full account access will be automatically restored.

7 Day Waiting Period

Suspensions for signs of compromised accounts, unusual activity, or abusive language carry a minimum 7 day waiting period. You will receive an email from Twitter when your access has been restored.

Permanent Suspension

In cases of severe or repeated abuse and Terms of Service violations, Twitter may permanently suspend accounts. If this occurs, you can submit a restoration request, but there is no guarantee your account will be unsuspended.

To request account restoration after a policy violation:

1. Do not attempt to evade the suspension – Creating new accounts to get around a suspension will lead to those accounts being banned as well. Wait out the required time period.

2. Strengthen account security – Enable two-factor authentication using a mobile app like Google Authenticator. Change your password to a strong, unique one.

3. Reflect on what led to the suspension – Read up on Twitter’s rules so you understand what behaviors to avoid in the future.

4. Delete any problematic tweets – If your appeal is accepted, problematic content will need to be removed.

5. Submit an account restoration request – Go to the appeals page and be honest about your violation. Assure you have taken steps to secure your account and avoid future policy breaches.

With an understanding of the suspension and a commitment to following Twitter’s rules going forward, there is a good chance your account can be restored even after serious violations.

What To Do Once Your Twitter Access Is Restored

Congratulations, your appeal was accepted and your account is back up! Before you rush to send that tweet though, here are some important steps to take:

Reset Your Password

Even if your account wasn‘t necessarily hacked, it‘s smart to reset your password when unsuspending any account that was locked down. Use a strong, unique password to enhance security. Consider switching on two-factor authentication as well.

Review Account Settings

Take a look at your account profile, privacy settings, connected apps, notifications, and other preferences to make sure everything looks right. Hackers or malicious apps may have made unwanted changes while your account was suspended.

Assess Followers/Following

Did your follower or following count change dramatically? Unfollow or block any suspicious new followers. Removing bot or fake accounts can help avoid future issues.

Update Your Profile

Refresh your profile pic, cover photo, bio, location, and other info. This makes it clear the original account owner is back in control.

Post an Update

Let your followers know your access has been restored with a quick tweet or DM. Avoid addressing the specifics of your suspension publicly.

Getting your account unsuspended is just the first step. Taking the above measures helps reestablish your account‘s security and integrity.

Avoid Future Twitter Suspensions

The best solution is avoiding another Twitter suspension altogether. Here are some tips to keep your account in good standing:

• Carefully review Twitter’s rules – Know what type of content and behavior can get you suspended. If unsure, avoid posting it.

• Avoid automated behaviors – Don‘t use any services or apps that auto-generate content or aim to inflate your following. Let your account grow organically.

• Don’t engage with aggressive users – As tempting as it may be, don’t get sucked into confrontations with trolls and online bullies. Report them instead.

• Enable two-factor authentication– Adding an extra layer of login security helps prevent your account from being hacked.

• Monitor your notifications – Stay on top of any replies to your tweets, direct messages, new followers, or account changes so you can quickly address issues.

• Use a VPN if traveling – VPNs can prevent location changes from triggering suspensions when traveling or using public Wi-Fi.

• Practice good password hygiene – Create strong, unique passwords for Twitter and email accounts associated with it. Change periodically.

• Avoid copyright infringements – Only share your own photos and videos or those you have permission to use. Don‘t re-post others‘ content.

• Report impersonators – If another account copies your name/photo to pretend to be you, report them immediately.

A few precautionary steps goes a long way in maintaining your account‘s good standing and access.

Using a VPN to Avoid Twitter Suspensions

As mentioned earlier, constantly switching locations or IP addresses when accessing Twitter can appear suspicious and trigger automated anti-spam restrictions. Travelers and remote workers accessing Twitter from public Wi-Fi are especially likely to run into this issue.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide a simple solution. By encrypting your connection and routing your traffic through remote servers, VPNs mask your IP address. This prevents Twitter from detecting these frequent location changes. VPNs also enhance security when using public internet connections.

Here are the basic steps to using a VPN with Twitter:

1. Select a reliable VPN provider – Look for services with robust global server networks, strong encryption, and a commitment to protecting user privacy.

2. Download the VPN app – Most VPNs offer dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices to make accessing the VPN quick and easy.

3. Connect to a VPN server – Choose a server in a location relevant to where you want to appear located. Connecting to a nearby server generally provides the fastest speeds.

4. Access Twitter as usual – Once connected to the VPN, simply open the Twitter app or website like normal. Your tweets, likes, logins, etc. will now be masked under the VPN server‘s IP address.

5. Disconnect when done – Be sure to disconnect from the VPN when no longer accessing Twitter to prevent other internet activity from routing through the encrypted tunnel.

With millions of users accessing Twitter away from home networks, VPN usage is on the rise. Incorporating a VPN into your Twitter routine is an easy way to reduce the risk of surprise account suspensions.

Top 5 VPNs for Accessing Twitter Anywhere

While any quality VPN will work well with Twitter, the following providers offer the best combination of server locations, connection speeds, and platform support:

1. ExpressVPN – With 3,000+ fast servers across 94 countries, ExpressVPN is a top choice for unblocking Twitter while traveling internationally. Robust encryption and a strict no-logging policy protect privacy.

2. NordVPN – Over 5,200 worldwide servers, reliable speeds, and unique features like Double VPN and Onion Over make NordVPN a strong VPN option for Twitter users.

3. Surfshark – This budget-friendly VPN boasts a network of over 3,200 servers. Useful for accessing Twitter from public networks thanks to unlimited device support.

4. CyberGhost – Based in Romania with over 7,400 servers, CyberGhost is especially popular with users in countries that restrict social media like Twitter.

5. Private Internet Access (PIA) – PIA operates over 35,000 servers across 84 countries. The service is based in the US and a favorite of Twitter users concerned about privacy.

A premium VPN configured to work with your devices helps keep your Twitter account accessible and secure no matter where you connect from.

Twitter Suspension FAQs

Dealing with a suspended Twitter account can be confusing and frustrating. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

What happens when your Twitter account is suspended?

When suspended, your account will not refresh. Other users can‘t view your profile or tweets. You will see a message about being temporarily limited when trying to log in.

How long do Twitter suspensions last?

It depends on the reason, but common suspension lengths include:

• 12 hours for spam/automation
• 1 week for abusive content
• 2-3 weeks for multiple or repeat violations
• Permanent for severe abuse/illegal content

Can a suspended Twitter account be recovered?

Unless the suspension is permanent, you can recover your account by appealing, waiting out the set suspension period, removing problematic content, and securing your account.

Does suspending a Twitter account delete it?

No, suspended accounts remain in Twitter‘s system but with restricted access. Deactivating or deleting an account completely removes it.

Can you tell if a Twitter account is suspended?

Suspended accounts do not show tweets or other public info. Usernames of suspended accounts turn grey. Visiting a suspended profile gives a message that the account is temporarily unavailable.

The Bottom Line

Getting hit with a Twitter suspension can be stressful, especially if you rely on the platform for business or communication. With the right response though, many suspended accounts can return to tweeting in no time. Focus on identifying the reason behind the suspension, appealing any mistaken enforcement, and taking steps to avoid future issues. Leverage account security tools, review Twitter’s rules, and consider using a VPN. With a measured, informed approach, your suspended Twitter account can be up and running again quickly.